33 charitable causes across east Dorset have received a big boost thanks to Talbot Village Trust, who have awarded a grand total of £489,232 during the first of two grant-giving cycles this year.

Among them is Amelia’s Rainbow, a charity helping children with serious illness and disabilities to make lasting memories.

Farah Batchelor from Amelia’s Rainbow said: “We were over the moon to have been awarded a £5,000 grant from Talbot Village Trust.

“We applied because we had increasing costs at our holiday home in Highcliffe and were looking for help.

“We currently grant more than 40 free holidays a year, so this significant grant is to be used to improve the wellbeing for these families.”

Some of the largest grants went to CRUMBS, who received £60,000 to help provide workplace training to adults with disabilities over the next two years, and Planet Purbeck, whose £40,000 will help to fund activities like its 2023 Festival this September.

Other beneficiaries include BCHA, who are helping young people in the BCP region into education, Hope Community Church in Winton, Young Enterprise, Activate Performing Arts, and Wareham Choral Society.

Nicholas Ashley-Cooper, Chairman of Talbot Village Trust, said: “Our purpose is to support and strengthen organisations in the community that are making changes for the better and help children, young people, adults, and the elderly in the area.

“We’re delighted to offer our continued support to worthy causes that cover education and youth, charitable projects and faith, and we’ll be looking to allocate funding to further causes which applied during our second grant-giving cycle.

“Beneficiaries from our second cycle will be announced towards the end of this year.”

• To find out more or apply for a grant, visit talbotvillagetrust.co.uk

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